Stogie Guys Free Newsletter

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There’s weird and then there’s utterly bizarre. The Samford Stogies Racing Team falls under the latter category.

This motley crew of adventurous Samford University graduates tackles the Mercedes Marathon in Birmingham, Alabama each February – cigar in mouth. Apparently they just can’t put off that celebratory stogie until the end of the race.

Legend has it the concept originated when, in 2005, five untrained misfits banded together to form a haphazard relay team to complete the 26-mile contest. Patrick Crandall recommended they run under the name “Samford Stogies” (for some reason, Patricks make great cigar enthusiasts). The team ingeniously decided to run with cigars in their mouths to seal their identity. As they say on their website, “Who says you can’t smoke your victory cigar during the fight?”

History was made when the team completed the challenge in an impressive three hours and 21 minutes. Drew Roberts, one of the squad’s founding fathers, was kind enough to share the following words with me:

Well, we started the tradition of smoking victory cigars during the race for the challenge. It definitely does make the run tougher, but the reactions from the fans watching the race and from the other race participants make it all worthwhile. It also builds camaraderie between our team members knowing that the other guys are experiencing the same pain of not only running, but the stupidity of doing it with a stogie. Additionally, we enjoy the added benefit of using the cigar to talk trash for us. You don’t have to say a word because when you pass other runners during the race with a lit cigar, they understand.

When you think of complimentary activities for cigars, you think of drinking, golf, womanizing, pool, and other leisurely endeavors – not running. We therefore applaud the Samford Stogies for incorporating cigars into a previously untapped activity. If you’d like to join their team for the 2007 Mercedes Marathon on February 11 in Birmingham, please click here.

One question mark is a question; two question marks is an interrogation; and three question marks is an articulate critique. What part of 'womanizing' is beyond your understanding? You might also check your dictionary for 'wry', 'ironic', 'humorous' and 'flame'. Online anybody can be an anonymous smartarse.

This is great! You can not get me to run. If I'm about to miss the train and be half and hour late for work, I might consider running… These guy might just make me wanna dust off my sneakers. We gotta make a list though of the cigars that produce the most amount of smoke when, or if, we run past anyone. Love it!

Well, apparently these guys are capable of both running and smoking at the same time. However, are they able to do all three activities… running, smoking, and womanizing at the same time? That is the question.

I'm a runner and road biker. This story reminded of a time when my cousin and I were doing a circuit bike ride, and he whipped out a stogie in the middle of the ride. As serious team riders were whizzing by him they were in disbelief and those looks on their faces were priceless! Some even gagging and coughing as they took in some of his smoke. LOL! I'm gonna have to e-mailhim this article!

[…] 4) In October we told you about some crazy guys in Alabama who smoke cigars while running marathons. Well, this weekend they are about to do it again. If you happen to be in the Birmingham, Alabama area stop by the Mercedes Marathon and bring a cigar. You can even contact the “Running Stogies” and join their pit crew. […]